Question:
Whenever I press a "Caps Lock" or "Num Lock" key, the keyboard
stops working. (Application is powering the keyboard and adapter
from the RS-232 connection.)
Answer:
The current to power the indicator lights exceeds the power
that can be extracted from the RS-232 port. You can either disable
the indicator LEDs by changing the configuration string, or you can
use an external power supply to power the KB232.

Question:
Can you recommend a power supply for the KB232 adapter and a keyboard?
Answer:
Try a Digi-Key part number T403-PIP-ND. It's a 9V wall mount supply
made by CUI Inc. Last price I saw was $5.08 for 0ne piece.

Question:
What signals does the KB232 adapter use?
Answer:
The RS-232 signnals used are Receive (pin 2), Transmit (pin 3) and
Ground (pin 5). The KB232 derives power from the DTR (pin 4) input
and CTS (pin 7) input. All other lines are not connected.

Question:
The key code "83" used for the F7 key doesn't seem to work when loaded in
the key code table.
Answer:
There was a misprint in the KB232 manual. The key code for the F7 key
is "F0".

Question:
I can't load the entire configuration string. It returns to the prompt
before I'm done.
Answer:
Versions before 3.0x7 have a problem that the input buffer is set too
short. You can work around this by using abbreviated settings. Fo example,
instead of using "Simple,9600,No Par,nc,2,20", use "S,96,N,nc,2,20".
We can upgrade the program version if this is a problem.

Question:
At 1200 baud, the "C" command to display the configuration string does
not work.
Answer:
Versions before 3.0x7 have this problem. The recommended work-around is
to use 9600 baud to set up the key code lookup table. Then change the
configuration to 1200 baud once you're done. We can upgrade the program
version if this is a problem.

Question:
It's very awkward to have to erase the whole key code lookup table when
you make a mistake.
Answer:
We have a macro script for Tera Term to download a keycode table from a
file on your PC. The macros are online at
KB232 Tera Term Macros
The Tera Term application is available at:
Tera Term

Question:
Can you make the KB232 send serial ASCII for the CAPS-LOCK
and NUM-LOCK keys?
Answer:
Yes. You can assign ASCII to these keys in the key code table.
The CAPS-LOCK key code is "58" and the NUM-LOCK key code is 77.
These we're originally left out of the manual, but have since
been added.

Question:
When I plug the KB232 with the keyboard into the RS-232 port, I cannot
communicate with it using Hyperterm or Tera Term. Using a breakoutbox, I
can see data going to the adapter but nothing coming back.
Answer:
Have you tried connecting it to a COM port without a keyboard
attached? You should be able to press "Enter" on Hyperterm and
get a prompt back. The KB232 will plug directly into a COM port.
I don't suggest using a breakout box as it can suck power away
from the control lines for the LEDs and not allow enough power
to power the KB232.

The keyboard you are using may draw more power than can be obtained
from the RS232 signals. If you are using a notebook computer, often
these computers don't provide true RS-232 signals and don't provide
adequate power. The KB0001 keyboard that we re-sell is particularly
low powered and may staisfy your needs. Failing that, you may need
to use a +9V or +12V DC power supply. (See above.)

Question:
After loading a new configuration string, I cannot communicate to the
KB232 any more.
Answer:
This sounds like the configuation string may have been loaded incorrectly.
You can reset the the KB232 to the default parameters by plugging it into
the RS232 port while the port is sending a "Break" condition, which is
the transmit pin from the computer in a "high" state. To do this with
Tera Term, follow the steps below:

Disconnect the KB232 from the RS232 port, and if a keyboard
is attached to the KB232, disconnect that as well. Make sure
the KB232 is disconnected for a couple minutes in order for any
input capacitance to dissipate before going to step 2.

Run Tera Term. Set it up for 9600 baud, 8-bits, no parity. Make
sure it's configured for the right COM port.

Have the KB232 positioned so you can quickly plug it in to the
COM port.

Type 15 "Alt-B"'s to Tera-Term and then quickly plug the KB232
into the COM port. Normally Tera Term will have a blinking cursor.
While it is sending the breaks (transmit data high), the cursor
will stop blinking. After you plug in the KB232, look at the
Tera Term cursor to make sure it is still not blinking. If it is,
your need more time, so repeat by going to step 1, and type more
"Alt-B"s (say 30?).

When the Tera Term cursor starts blinking again, press the "Enter"
key and look for a ":" prompt. If you get a prompt, type D and
the "Enter" key to set defaults. Type "C" and the "Enter" and
make sure the config string matches the default in the manual.
If you don't get the prompt, try this procedure again several times
before giving up.